Danube River Cruise 2010 (Days 1-7)

Traveling from Czech Republic to Germany	In Germany	German Wildflowers	German Countryside	Avalon Tranquility Docked at Nuremberg, Germany
First Night's Entertainment on the Avalon Tranquility	Ready for Nuremberg City Tour	Inside the Congress Hall at the Nazi Party Rally Ground, Nuremberg	Nazi Party Zeppelin Field Grandstands, Nuremberg	St. John's Cemetery, Nuremberg
St. John's Cemetery (also known as the Rose Cemetery), Nuremberg	Nuremberg Building	Crossing the Pegnitz River in Nuremberg	Nuremberg Building	13th Century Kaiserburg (Emperor's Castle) in Nuremberg
Entering Nuremberg's Castle District	One of the Towers at the Kaiserburg	Heiden Towers at the Kaiserburg	Gate at the Kaiserburg	Gate Inside the Kaiserburg
View of Nuremberg from Castle	View of Nuremberg from Castle	Leaving Nuremberg's Castle District	Nuremberg Building	Nuremberg Town Hall (1616-22)
Coat of Arms over Nuremberg Town Hall Entrance	Nuremberg Building	"The Beautiful Fountain" in Nuremberg	Nuremberg's Market Square	St. Sebold's Church
Coyote Bar in Nuremberg	"The Mississippi Queen" in Nuremberg	First (of 25) Lock on the Main-Danube Canal	Entering the First Lock	Leaving the First Lock
Smooth Sailing on the Main-Danube Canal	Canal Crossing Over the Road Below	Wildflowers Along the Main-Danube Canal	Tight Fit into the Lock at Leerstetten, Germany	Leerstetten is One of the Tallest Locks in Europe at 80.9 Feet
Stephen Hoffman, Lockmaster, Concludes His Presentation on Sun Deck	Holding Tanks Recycle Canal Water to Raise and Lower Ships	An Egret Watching the Holding Tanks	Everything on the Sun Deck Lies Flat to Clear Low Bridges	Time for Tea and Cake in the Lounge
German Family Out for a Walk by the Canal	Sun Setting on the German Countryside	Sunset on the Main-Danube Canal	Morning on the Danube River	Docked in Regensburg, Germany
Hydraulic Bridge on Avalon Tranquility for Clearing Low Bridges	Medieval Stone Bridge (1135-46) in Regensburg, Germany	Bronze City Plan of Regensburg, Germany	Courtyard in Regensburg	Inside a Courtyard in Regensburg
Fox & Goose Statue Depicting Good & Evil	Regensburg New Parish Church & Spires of St. Peter's Cathedral	Historic Architecture in Regensburg, Germany	Regensburg, Germany	Stone Relief at St. Emmeram's Abbey (founded 739 A.D.), Regensburg
In the Courtyard St. Emmeram's Abbey, Regensburg	St. Rupert's Church in St. Emmeram's Abbey, Regensburg	Ceiling of St. Rupert's Church in St. Emmeram's Abbey, Regensburg	Altar of St. Rupert (1690) in St. Rupert's Church in St. Emmeram's Abbey	Altar of St. Michael (1713) in St. Rupert's Church in St. Emmeram's Abbey
Pipe Organ in St. Rupert's Church in St. Emmeram's Abbey	The Basilica St. Emmeram in St. Emmeram's Abbey	The Basilica St. Emmeram in St. Emmeram's Abbey	Pipe Organ in the Basilica St. Emmeram	Painted Wooden Ceiling in Basilica St. Emmeram
Saint Sebastian in Courtyard of St. Emmeram's Abbey	Courtyard of Schloss (Castle) St. Emmeram	The Old Rathaus (parts date from 13th century), Regensburg, Germany	1782 Floor, Regensburg, Germany	Goliathhaus Built 1st Half of 13th Century (painting dates to 1570), Regensburg, Germany
Cathedral of St. Peter (started in 1260 A.D.), Regensburg, Germany	Inside the Cathedral of St. Peter, Regensburg, Germany	Stained Glass in the Cathedral of St. Peter, Regensburg, Germany	"Porta Praetoria" (Roman Gateway dating to 179 A.D.) Regensburg	Claims to Be Oldest Sausage Tavern in the World (over 500 years old), Regensburg
Cooking Regensburger Sausages at Wurstku�che	M-m-m Good Regensburger Sausages and Sauerkraut	Sausage and Beer in Front of Regensburg's Medieval Stone Bridge	On Regensburg's Medieval Stone Bridge	Statue in Center of Regensburg's Medieval Stone Bridge
Susan, Bob, & Kathy at the Wurstku�che	Avalon Tranquility Docked on Danube River in Regensburg, Germany	Bavarian Beer Experience in the Ship's Lounge	Bavarian Beer Tasting in the Ship's Lounge	Sailing Down the Danube River in Germany
Scenery Along the Danube River in Germany	Danube Fortress Ruins	Passing Walhalla (1830-42) Built to Honor "Laudable and Distinguished Germans"	Sunset on the Danube River	Arnold (Hotel Manager) is MC of the Crew Show
Crew Show's Singing Nuns (Combined Departments)	Crew Show's Singing Nuns	Crew Show's Acrobats (Combined Departments)	Crew Show's Comedy (Housekeeping)	Crew Show's Dancers (Kitchen Staff)
Arriving in Passau, Germany	Passau, Germany	Passau, Germany	Passau Fortress, Germany	Veste Oberhaus (1250-1482) is Former Castle of Prince Bishops, Passau, Germany
Leaving Passau by Bus	Driving Through the German Countryside	German Farmhouse on a Rainy Day	Crossing from Germany into the Czech Republic	Czech Farmhouse on a Rainy Day
Czech Farmer	Covered Bridge in Czech Republic	Map of Medieval Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic	Gates into Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic	Vltava River at Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic
Oldest Walls (13th Century) of Cesky Krumlov Castle	Castle Tower (13-15th Century) in Cesky Krumlov	Rainy Day in Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic	Building Allowed to Deteriorate During Communist Era; Awaiting Restoration	Store in Cesky Krumlov
Local Guide Explains Restoration in Cesky Krumlov	Fountain (1577) in Square of Cesky Krumlov	Traditional Slovak Pastry (Trdelnik)	Making Trdelnik	Trdelnik Close-up
Eating Trdelnik Before Lunch	Crossing the Vltava River to Cesky Krumlov Castle	St. John of Nepomuk on Bridge in Cesky Krulmov	Crossing 'Bear Moat' into Cesky Krumlov Castle	"Krumlov Bear" in Castle Moat
St. Josef with Jesus (18th century statue) Above Bear Moat	Trabant (East German Car) in First Courtyard of Cesky Krumlov Castle	Cesky Krumov as Seen from First Level of Castle	Town Square of Budejovice (prounced Budweis), Czech Republic	Town Hall of Budejovice, Czech Republic (1727-1730)
Gargoyle on Town Hall of Budejovice, Czech Republic	Baroque Building in Budejovice, Czech Republic	Location of 1895 'Budweiser' Brewery, Resulting in Numerous Trademark Lawsuits	Crossing from Czech Repubilc into Austria	Rejoining Ship in Linz, Austria
Giorgio Benedetti, Electric Violinist, Entertains in the Lounge	Giorgio Benedetti Plays "The Devil Went Down in Georgia"	Ars Electronica Museum, Linz, Austria	Ars Electronica Museum, Linz, Austria	Ars Electronica Museum, Linz, Austria
Leaving Linz, Austria	Partying After Dinner	Docked in Melk, Austria	Arriving at Stift Melk (Melk Abbey), Melk, Austria	Tower with Keyhole Windows at Melk Abbey
Entering Melk Abbey (Benedictine Abbey Completed in 1736)	Fresco Above Entry to Abbey at Melk, Austria	Main Courtyard of Melk Abbey	Melk Abbey Classroom Building for 900 Students	13th Century Container for the Remains of Saints
Letter of Donation for Melk Written on Parchment in 1113	16th Century Cross Possibly Contained Partial Remains of St. Peter	12th Century Crucifix	Chasuble (Vesper Coat) circa 1730 with Gold Embroidery	Melk Altar (1502) by Jorg Breu
Doorway Decoration in Melk Abbey	Rotating Display of Melk Abbey	Rotating Display of Melk Abbey	Rotating Display of Melk Abbey	Rotating Display of Melk Abbey
Crossing Back Walkway of Melk Abbey	Melk, Austria as Seen from the Abbey	Wachau Valley and Danube River as Seen from the Abbey	Inside the Marble Hall of Melk Abbey	Ceiling Frescoe (1731) in the Marble Hall of Melk Abbey
Library in Melk Abbey contains Over 100,000 Volumes with Some Dating to the 9th Century	Fresco in 2nd Room of Library in Melk Abbey	Globe from Venice (1688)	The Church of Melk Abbey	Ceiling of the Church of Melk Abbey
Main Altar in Melk Abbey Church	St. Michael's Altar (1723) in Melk Abbey	St. John the Baptist's Altar Contains the Sarcophagus of Martyr from Catacombs in Rome	Spiral Staircase in Melk Abbey	Stairway Back to the Bus
Austrian Military Vehicle	House on Bank of the Danube River	Hot Chocolate to Welcome Us Back Onboard on a Cold Day	Passing Schonbu�hel Castle (original built in the 12th Century)	Maypole in Austrian Village
Ruins of Hinterhaus Castle (built in the 13th Century)	St. Michael's (oldest church in the Wachau Valley of Austria)	5 of 7 'Hasen' (Rabbits) on Ridge of Roof of St. Michael's Church	Approaching Durnstein, Austria	Ruins of Durnstein Castle where Richard the Lionhearted was held Captive in 1192
Abbey Church (1721-5) in Durnstein, Austria	Durnstein, Austria	Tulln, Austria	Interesting Skyline on the Danube in Austria	Austrian Town Lies Well Below the Danube River Levee
Fishing Camps on the Danube River	Village on the Danube River in Austria	Church on a Hill near Vienna, Austria	Arriving in Vienna, Austria	On the Danube in Vienna, Austria
Docking near St. Francis of Assisi Church in Vienna, Austria	Vienna's Giant Ferris Wheel (Built in 1897 -- Rebuilt in 1945)	Building in Vienna Where Johann Strauss Wrote 'The Blue Danube Waltz' (2nd Floor)	Floating Swimming Pool on the Danube in Vienna	Golden Statue of Johann Strauss in Vienna's City Park
At Vienna's Hofburg Palace for Royal Waltz Concert	Entering Hofburg Palace for Royal Waltz Concert	Hofburg Palace Inner Courtyard	Concert Hall in Hofburg Palace	Dancers with Orchestra at Royal Waltz Concert
Soprano & Tenor at Royal Waltz Concert	Orchestra at Royal Waltz Concert	Hofburg Palace Courtyard After the Royal Waltz Concert	Leaving the Hofburg Palace Courtyard After the Royal Waltz Concert	Hofburg Palace at Night
Vienna Town Hall at Night	Vienna's Giant Ferris Wheel at Night	Chef Dana Serving Goulash Soup after Royal Waltz Concert	2nd Day in Vienna, Austria	Wilhelm von Tegetthoff Statue in Vienna
Vienna State Opera (1861-9)	Austrian Parliament Building (1874-83)	Vienna Town Hall (1872-83)	St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna	St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna
Roof of St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna	Inside St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna	Inside St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna	Gothic Pulpit in St. Stephen's Cathedral	Saints Gregory & Jerome on Gothic Pulpit
Toads & Lizards on Handrail Represent Fight of Good Against Evil	Stone Puppy Protects the Preacher in the Pulpit	1 of 17 Side Altars in St. Stephen's Cathedral	Wiener Neustadter Altar (1447) in St. Stephen's Cathedral	Tomb of Emperor Frederick III in St. Stephen's Cathedral
Coat of Arms Set into Floor of St. Stephen's Cathedral	"Servants' Madonna" (1320) in St. Stephen's Cathedral	Inside St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna	The Pestsaule (1683-93) Dedicated to 1679 Plague Victims (75-150,000 Died)	The Pestsaule in Vienna, Austria
St. Peter's Church (purported to be founded by Charlemagne) in Vienna	Entrance to the Spanish Riding School in Vienna	Spanish Riding School Arena	Empire-style Rider Uniforms (1795-1820) Worn by Riders of Lippizaner Horses	Training Lippizaner Horses in Vienna
Training Lippizaner Horses in Vienna	Training Lippizaner Horses in Vienna	Interesting Motorcycle in Vienna	Cafe Diglas (1923) in Vienna	Afternoon Treat at Vienna's Cafe Diglas
Back from Vienna, We Found Our Ship Away from the Dock	Ian Waving from Ship	Avalon Tranquility Repositioning Alongside Avalon Tapestry	Leaving Vienna, Austria	Fish Camp Outside Vienna, Austria
Kathy, Phyllis, Bob, Bob, Susan, & Bill at Dinner	Australian Friends at Dinner	Hainburg, Austria with Its 11th Century Castle	Executive Chef Martin	Bring On the Baked Alaska
Our Cabin Attendant, Lucia	Helena, Ian, Ann, & Bruce at Dinner	Sunrise on the Danube River	Hungarian Town on the Danube	Going Under Megyeri Bridge (outskirts of Budapest, Hungary)
Approaching Margaret Island (north of Budapest, Hungary)	Outskirts of Budapest, Hungary	Entering Budapest from the North	The Hungarian Parliament Building Lies on the Pest Side of the Danube	First Look at the Hills on the Buda side of the Danube
Sailing Under the Chain Bridge (1849) of Budapest	Statue of St. Gellert on Hills of Buda, Hungary	Liberty Statue (1947) in Budapest, Hungary	Liberty Bridge (1894-96) in Budapest	Budapest, Hungary
Getting Instructions from Nancy (Tour Director) in Budapest	Pedestrian Street in Budapest	The Great Market Hall in Budapest	The Great Market Hall in Budapest	First Floor of the Great Market Hall in Budapest
Fresh Produce in the Great Market Hall in Budapest	Lots of Eggs in the Great Market Hall in Budapest	Second Floor of the Great Market Hall in Budapest	Shopping in the Great Market Hall in Budapest	Lunch in the Great Market Hall in Budapest
Sightseeing in Budapest	Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest	Budapest's Main Train Station	Heroes Square (1896) in Budapest	At Heroes Square in Budapest
Hall of Art in Budapest	Szechenyi Spa in Budapest	Szechenyi Spa in Budapest	Dohany Street Synagogue (1854-59), Budapest	Stone Lions on the Chain Bridge, Budapest
Former Ministry of Defense with WWII Bullet Holes, Budapest	Layout of Budapest's Castle Hill	Bronze Replica of Mathias Church (14th Century), Budapest	Mathias Church on Castle Hill, Budapest	Holy Trinity Column Commemorates Victims of 1691 Plague in Budapest
Fisherman's Bastion (1895-1902) on Castle Hill in Budapest	View of Pest Side of Budapest from Castle Hill	Bill & Susan at Fisherman's Bastion, Budapest	Buda Royal Palace on Castle Hill in Budapest	Gypsy Music with Dinner
Leaving Budapest for a Day in the Country	Hungarian Village	Vast Hungarian Grasslands are Known as Puszta	Arriving at Varga Farm in Hungary	Hungarian Brandy & Cheese Roll Snack
Hungarian Farm House	Hungarian Barn	Ready for a Wagon Ride	Wagon Ride on a Dirt Track	Dirt Track Becoming a Mud Track
Back from Wagon Ride	Pet Turkey	Keeping Warm Hungarian Style	Hungarian Racka Sheep	Hungarian Racka Sheep
Hungarian Curly-coated Pig	Hungarian 3-Horse Team Demonstration	Hungarian 4-Horse Team Demonstration	Hungarian Colt Gets into the Act	Little Hungarian Cowboy
Getting Horses to Lie Down	Horses Lie Still While Whips Crack	Hungarian Cowboy	Hungarian Cowboys Have an Uncanny Rapport with Their Horses	Hungarian Horse Competition
Riding a 10-horse Team	Controlling a 10-horse Team	Herding Hungarian Grey Cattle	Hungarian Grey Calves	Hungarian Grey Cattle Cart
Working Cattle	End of Hungarian Cowboy Demonstration	Hungarian Farm Lunch with Jenny, John, Jennifer, Bill, Graeme, Heather, Susan, & Bill	Hungarian Musicians Featuring Traditional Cimbalom	Back in Budapest on the Danube
Sinatra Piano Bar Was Within Walking Distance from Our Ship, but Closed	Going Back Onboard in Budapest	Towel Art for Our 23rd Anniversary	Looking at Castle Hill as We Leave Budapest	Sailing Under the Chain Bridge as We Leave Budapest
Farewell to Budapest, Hungary	23rd Anniversary Cake	Happy 23rd Anniversary	23rd Anniversary	Cutting the Anniversary Cake
Jennifer, Bill, Bill, Susan, Heather, & Graeme Finishing Up Anniversary Cake